Protecting your Future: Long-term care means thriving as we get older

Thursday

Nov 15, 2012 at 2:00 AM

Aging in place is usually considered preferable to being forced to move into a long-term care facility. Elder law estate planning attorneys work with clients to ensure they are able to stay in their own homes as long as possible.

Bonnie Kraham

Aging in place is usually considered preferable to being forced to move into a long-term care facility. Elder law estate planning attorneys work with clients to ensure they are able to stay in their own homes as long as possible.

But it is a mistake to think of the aging process as solely an effort to live on one's own indefinitely. Research continues to pour in examining the range of lifestyle issues that affect seniors. The studies are important to consider in the broader context of planning to not only live, but also thrive as we grow older.

In a study published by the BMJ Group, researchers found that those who were over 85 years old lived, on average, four extra years if they maintained an active lifestyle. Physical activity was found to be the best indicator of longevity when other factors were held constant, like smoking and weight.

Social interactions were also found to be pivotal in longevity. This is one of many reasons why families make nursing-home placement decisions based on proximity to family members to allow more frequent visits. The BMJ study found that those with a rich social network, who were married or had frequent contact with relatives lived a few years longer on average when all other factors were held constant.

Another study this year highlighted the effect of minimal social interaction. That research was published in the journal "Psychology and Aging." It found that chronic loneliness actually produces physical changes in the body that mimic the natural aging process. What that means is that the loneliest seniors literally age faster. In particular, researchers found that the loneliest seniors had cardiovascular deterioration occur faster than non-lonely seniors. The most potent problem was an increased risk of heart disease.

What does this mean for elder law estate planning?

Long-term care plans should give serious thought to maximizing physical activity and social interaction. While aging at home is often preferable, it may not be the best option if that choice includes too much time sitting alone. Perhaps a retirement community is a better option for those who may end up suffering prolonged inactivity and social isolation. Or, it might make sense to enroll in adult day care programs to ensure more activity and social interaction.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but greater understanding of the aging process and longevity research should factor into considerations about life plans for our golden years.

Bonnie Kraham is an attorney practicing elder law estate planning with Ettinger Law Firm, 75 Crystal Run Road, Town of Wallkill. She can be reached at 692-8700, ext. 119, or at bkraham@trustlaw.com. This column is intended to provide general information, not legal advice.